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SEIA is the solar energy industry’s go-to source for the latest coverage on solar power, including U.S. and international policy, research and polls, business and financing trends, and more. Our staff strives to support the media covering solar energy issues and guide our members on effective media outreach with clear statements, background materials, news and multimedia resources.

SEIA is committed to informing policymakers, the media, and the American public about the benefits of solar energy for today’s communities, our economy, and our country.

Two solar financing startups backed by Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers - Kilowatt Financial and Clean Power Finance - said on Wednesday they will combine to create a larger company that will offer loans, leases and other products to help U.S. consumers go solar.

As a tool for investors, financiers, project developers and others, the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and CohnReznick, a leading national accounting, tax and advisory firm, today released a guide to the valuation of solar projects for financial reporting purposes. The publication features best practices in “an increasingly complex solar marketplace” and follows up on a 2014 publication by the two organizations on fair market value methodologies in the solar industry.

Every week, The SEIA Solar Update includes top news stories covering the solar industry, major upcoming events, policy updates, and much more. This newsletter is open to SEIA Members and to the general public.

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Shattering previous records, the United States residential solar market grew 76 percent over the first quarter of 2014, installing 437 megawatts[i] (MW) of photovoltaics (PV) in the first three months of 2015. According to GTM Research and the Solar Energy Industries Association’s (SEIA) Q1 U.S. Solar Market Insight Report, released today, the U.S. installed 1.3 gigawatts (GW) of solar PV across all market segments.

As part of its ongoing efforts to make solar cost competitive with other forms of electricity, the Department of Energy’s (DOE) SunShot Initiative announced today that it will provide $32 million in new funding opportunities to help spur additional solar development nationwide.

Calling it a “huge momentum boost,” the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) today praised two Florida newspapers, The Gainesville Sun and Ocala Star-Banner, for their editorial support of a pro-solar, statewide ballot initiative organized by Floridians for Solar Choice.

In an effort to expand awareness of the importance of diversity in the workplace – as well as solar energy’s growing contributions to the economy and environment – the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) has become one of the first national trade associations to feature a Spanish-language section on its website.

Saying it will provide a big boost to the U.S. economy, while also helping to fight pollution and climate change, the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) announced its support today for legislation by Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-5) to extend the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) for both residential and commercial solar installations.

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Every week, The SEIA Solar Update includes top news stories covering the solar industry, major upcoming events, policy updates, and much more. This newsletter is open to SEIA Members and to the general public.

Sunrun, fresh off of its IPO announcement, has something else to celebrate. In the first quarter of the year, it installed more residential solar than any other firm not named SolarCity or Vivint Solar.

Two recent developments clearly demonstrate why America remains “bullish” on solar energy. But they’re also vivid reminders of why we need to remain vigilant. As an organization, and as an industry, too much is at stake for us to become complacent. As the old saying goes on Capitol Hill: “What Congress giveth, Congress can taketh away.”

If you listen to many utility executives, distributed solar energy has the potential to destabilize electrical grids and result in huge cost shifts for many American consumers. Well, as the Irish are fond of saying: blarney!

Over the next 12 months, I am going to challenge our SEIA Board and team to articulate a vision and to plan a path to a world where solar is one of the top three energy sources globally. Executing against that vision and path will keep our industry among the fastest-growing in the world today.

"Cathedral thinking" refers to deep dedication to a complex endeavor that will outlive its architects. Today, it's imperative to apply this philosophy to the global crisis of climate change -- a threat that has taken centuries to create and will require unprecedented, strategic engagement of mankind to resolve.

With the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently issuing its first-ever rule limiting carbon pollution from existing power plants, many policymakers in Congress and state capitals are wondering: How can states meet the proposed standards most cost effectively?

Republicans, Democrats, and Independents can get behind two affordable, reliable, and business-friendly solutions that are ready today – American wind and solar power.

Arno Harris, SEIA Board Chairman and Nat Kreamer, SEIA Board Vice Chairman, write that under SEIA president and CEO Rhone Resch, SEIA has helped our industry achieve an impressive list of policy successes, allowing solar to become one of the fastest-growing industries in America, as well as the fastest-growing source of renewable energy.

Today, President Obama announced at a Walmart in California that 300 leading U.S. companies have taken the “solar pledge,” committing to install nearly 1 gigawatt (GW) of new solar as part of their business plans. For America’s solar energy industry, this is like getting a triple-A investment rating from Moody’s or Standard and Poor’s. Solar has become a ‘street-smart’ investment. These companies are expanding their use of solar because it makes sense from both a business and social responsibility viewpoint. Having worked closely with both the Administration and the private sector to increase the use of clean, reliable solar nationwide, SEIA applauds this exciting, new initiative, and we look forward to assisting commercial businesses, home builders, rural coops, governmental entities and America’s financial community in bringing these new solar installations online.